Windcrest formally welcomes Uber

Council vote authorizes ride-hailing service

Windcrest became the first city in Bexar County to officially invite ride-sharing firm Uber to do business within its boundaries Wednesday, and Henry Carr can’t wait to see other suburban cities follow suit.

Carr, Uber general manager for the San Antonio area, sat quietly and watched the Windcrest City Council unanimously pass an interim operating agreement that allows Uber to begin serving Windcrest residents effective immediately.

“Mayor (Alan) Baxter of Windcrest has embraced innovation and embraced Uber to serve their citizens, for the riders as well as the driver-partners,” Carr said after the council’s approval.

Uber and another ride-hailing company, Lyft, are preparing to stop serving San Antonio when new regulations go into effect April 1. The companies have said they view San Antonio’s rules as too burdensome and will cease operations instead of complying.

The suburban cities will allow Uber to operate under the current rules, which are less restrictive.

San Antonio officials have said ride-hailing drivers can’t use the city’s streets at all unless authorized or permitted by some jurisdiction.

With formal approval, such as the one granted by Windcrest on Wednesday, however, Uber drivers can use San Antonio streets if the ride originates in the approving city.

For example, Uber drivers wouldn’t be allowed to pick up a passenger at the San Antonio International Airport, which is on San Antonio property, but the drivers could drop off someone they picked up in Windcrest at the airport.

“What San Antonio did is disheartening,” said Windcrest Economic Development Director Tim Maloney, referring to the tighter restrictions that will take effect April 1. “I hope this encourages them to rethink their policy, and we strongly encourage them to work more diligently with Uber.”

Alamo Heights Mayor Louis Cooper, who joined Baxter and mayors from Hollywood Park and Olmos Park at a news conference in support of Uber on Wednesday morning, spoke of the benefits of ride-share programs.

“I have been a fan of ride-share programs for a number of years and lived in other cities that had it, especially Dallas,” Cooper said. “I can guarantee … that it does cut down on DWIs, and it also helps the revenue of bars and restaurants, because people tend to have another dessert or bottle of wine because they are not going to be driving on the roads.”

Carr said Uber participation in Austin “has exploded once the city passed a ride-share ordinance. Thousands of drivers now have an economic opportunity, full time or part time, however it fits into their schedule.”

Carr thanked Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff, who organized a meeting of suburban mayors last month in order to discuss the ride-sharing option. Cooper said 25 of 26 mayors attended the meeting, showing support for the ride-hailing companies.

For his part, Hollywood Park Mayor Chris Fails said his City Council will have ride-sharing discussion on its next meeting agenda.

Maloney said Windcrest sees multiple benefits to allowing Uber in its city.

“If one kid makes one right decision by calling Uber, instead of driving home after a night of drinking, and one life is saved, are you telling me that’s not worth it?” Maloney asked. “Are you telling me that a good decision should be penalized?”